Method and apparatus for searing and cooking food products

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for efficiently making grill marks on both sides of a plurality of food products while simultaneously cooking the plurality of food products. The food products may include hamburgers, chicken breast, soy products, etc. A continuous grilling belt transports products along a path of conveyance in which heat, speed, and other variables are controlled. The product is automatically turned over during the conveyance period. The food product may be produced in industrial quantities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of cooking food products and,more specifically, an apparatus and method that will be used in anindustrial process.

Food products are often pictorially advertised, in photographs andtelevision, as having grill stripes or score marks on the surface. Infact, although tremendously appealing to the eye, it is very difficultto achieve these marks in a commercial manner. This is due to the factthat the cooking area of the grill or barbecue therefore is uniformlyhot. Therefore, the steel members forming the grill marks are notnecessarily much hotter than the surrounding air space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the preferred embodiment includes a grilling machine whichscores a plurality of food products comprising: a burner for supplying athermal energy to the plurality of food products; a grill conveyorassembly having a belt which has an upper and a lower portion; andwherein said lower portion passes through a fire from said burner andsaid upper portion scores the plurality of food products.

Another aspect of the preferred embodiment includes an apparatuscomprising: a first grilling belt which scores a first side of aplurality of food products; a second grilling belt which scores a secondside of the plurality of food products; wherein the second grilling beltis located in a linear position relative to the first grilling belt.

Another aspect of the preferred embodiment includes an apparatus whichsimultaneously cooks and scores a plurality of food products comprising:a first grilling machine comprising: a first burner for supplyingthermal energy to said plurality of food products; a first grillconveyor assembly having a belt which has a first upper and a firstlower portion; said first lower portion passes through a fire from saidfirst burner and said first upper portion cooks and scores the foodproduct on a first side; a second grilling machine comprising: a secondburner for supplying thermal energy to the plurality of food products; asecond grill conveyor assembly having a belt which has a second upperand a second lower portion; and the second lower portion passes througha fire from the second burner and the second upper portion scores thefood product on a second side.

Another aspect of the preferred embodiment includes an apparatuscomprising: a first means for simultaneously cooking and scoring a foodproduct; a second means for simultaneously cooking and scoring a foodproduct; wherein said second means is located in a linear positionrelative to the first means.

Another aspect of the preferred embodiment includes a method comprising:conveying a plurality of food products through a first grilling machine;simultaneously cooking and scoring said plurality of food products witha first side down; turning said plurality of food products over ontotheir second sides as the food product travels from the first grillingmachine to a second grilling machine located in a linear relationship tothe first grilling machine; conveying said plurality of food productsthrough said second grilling machine; simultaneously cooking and scoringsaid plurality of food products with a second side down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a utility or backside elevational view of thepreferred embodiment with lower assembly insulated panels removed;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevational view of the preferred embodimentwith insulated panels in place;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary, enlarged front or drive sideelevational view of the first grill conveyor assembly in accordance withthe preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged side or outfeed elevational view of the firstgrill conveyor assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged side elevational view of a grilling ribassembly attached to a chain in accordance with the preferredembodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a side or outfeed view of the first conveyor assemblyresting on the first lower assembly section of the grilling machine;

FIG. 7 shows a side or outfeed view of the first lower conveyor assemblyresting on the first lower assembly with a first fire chamber in place;

FIG. 8 illustrates an elevational view of the control panel inaccordance with the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side or outfeed elevational view of the preferredembodiment taken along line Z--Z in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the frame of a fire chamber ofthe preferred embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the upper assembly with panelsin an upright position and having an adjustable panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-11 of the drawings depict the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in theart will readily recognize from the following discussion thatalternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated hereinmay be employed without departing from the principles of the inventiondescribed herein.

Currently, in industrial food processing plants, due to the concern withcontamination, the United States Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.)does not allow use of the same instrument for raw and cooked products.This regulation has forced many manufacturers to buy stationary grillingmachines and transfer product at different stages of cooking to separatemachines. This creates a non-uniform product with uneven grill marks dueto the movement of the product while cooking. This method of cookingdepends on the instinct of the person who is grilling which in turncreates overcooking and uneven cooking which also creates a loss inyield of product.

The grilling machines 102 and 104 of the preferred embodiment as shownin FIG. 1 have eliminated the above deficiencies by controlling the heatthrough self-modulating gas burners, by controlling the speed of theconveyor belt which transports the food product through the grillingmachines, and by only moving the food product or plurality of foodproducts once to flip them over during processing so the food productstays in the same spot on the grilling (or grill) ribs while it iscarried through the first and second cooking tunnels 140, 142.

FIG. 1 illustrates a utility or backside elevational view of thepreferred embodiment with insulated panels removed in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. Reference Numerals 102and 104 show industrial high capacity continuous grilling machines. Thegrilling machines may be used either alone or in combination dependingon if a grill mark is desired on only one side (one grilling machine) orboth sides (two grilling machines) of the food product. The grillingmachines 102 and 104 have the same exact structure except that the lowerassembly of grilling machine 104 has been set at a lower height. Thesecond grilling machine 104 is located in a linear position relative tothe first grilling machine 102 as shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 120represents a food product or plurality of food products which mayinclude hamburgers, chicken breasts, soy products, imitation meat, meat,fish, vegetables, and any other type of food products. The food product120 may be cooked in industrial or commercial quantities and at a rateexceeding 1,000 pounds (lbs.) per hour. Therefore, although only asingle food product 120 is being shown in FIG. 1 it is to be understoodthat a plurality of food products may be continually fed through thecombined grilling machines 100.

The food product 120 is initially conveyed to the infeed side of thefirst grilling machine 102 on a conveying device 122. The first grillingmachine 102 is made up of a first lower assembly 106, a first conveyorassembly 108, and a first upper assembly 110. The second grillingmachine 104 is made up a second lower assembly 107, a second conveyorassembly 109, and a second upper assembly 111.

The first lower assembly 106 includes a first powerful gas burner 130spraying flames into first fire chamber 132. The first fire chamber 132contains a damper 128 which rests on the lower frame 150 and whichdirects the flames in an upward direction. The second lower assembly 107includes a second powerful gas burner 131 spraying flames into secondfire chamber 134. The second fire chamber 134 contains a damper 129which rests on the lower frame 152 and directs the flames in an upwarddirection. The first and second fire chambers 132 and 134 are spacedabove the bottom insulated panel (not shown) which is attached to theframes 150 and 152 so as to create an air insulation layer between thefire chamber and the bottom insulated panel and provide for doubleinsulation. The use of separate gas burners allows the first grillingmachine 102 to be run at a different temperature than the secondgrilling machine 104. The first and second fire chambers 132 and 134 areeach made up of a fire chamber frame (1002 in FIG. 10). The first andsecond fire chambers 132, 134 rest inside the first and second lowerframes 150 and 152. The first and second fire chambers are not attachedto the lower frames 150 and 152, but are detachable modules. The firstand second fire chambers hang by hooks (702 as shown in FIG. 7) whichextend the length of each of the grilling machines on the first andsecond lower frames 150 and 152. Because the first and second firechambers are not attached to the lower frame they are able to expand asthe temperature in the first and second fire chambers increase.

The burners 130 and 131 are controlled by a temperature controller(reference numeral 800 which is shown in FIG. 8) which is modulating agas valve 972 (shown in FIG. 9) and creating uniform heat inside firstand second cooking tunnels 140 and 142. The burners 130 and 131 do notcreate a direct flame on the food product 120, but instead are directedat first and second conveyor assemblies 108 and 109. The gas train andcontrol components of the burners 130 and 131 are completely sealed.(Note that ashes may be allowed to build up in the first and second firechambers which would create a smokey or barbecue flavor effect on thefood product as the ashes are burned and burned again).

The first and second lower assemblies also include supports 173 and 175which allow for the adjustment of the height of each of the grillingmachines 102 and 104.

The first and second lower assemblies 106 and 107 further include firstand second electric motors and gear reducers 330 and 332. The use of twoseparate driving devices allows the first grilling conveyor belt 310 torun at a different speed than the second grilling conveyor belt 312.Therefore, the cooking speeds of the food product 120 may be controlledwith a great degree of accuracy.

The first lower assembly 106 further includes a stainless steel frame150 which provides support for the first conveyor assembly 108 and firstupper assembly 110 of the grilling machine 100. The second lowerassembly 107 further includes stainless steel frame 152 which providessupport for the first conveyor assembly 108 and first upper assembly 110of the grilling machine 100. The stainless steel frames 150 and 152 maybe made from 2"×2" stainless steel tubing.

The first conveyor assembly 108 includes a first grill (or grilling)belt 310 and the second conveyor assembly includes a second grill (orgrilling) conveyor or belt 312. The first grilling belt 310 includes afirst lower portion 310A and a first upper portion 310B. The secondgrilling belt 312 includes a second lower portion 312A and a secondupper portion 312B. The simultaneous cooking and scoring of the foodproduct occurs on the first and second upper portions 310B, 312B. Firstand second burners 130 and 131 are located in fire chambers 132 and 134which contain dampers to spread the heat evenly.

The first and second burners 130 and 131 are positioned so that nodirect flame is directed at the food product 120 to keep the yield highand not dry out the food product 120. The burners 130 and 131 shootflames through the fire chambers 132 and 134 to heat the first andsecond lower portions 310A, 312A of the grilling belts. The grillingbelts 310 and 312 are each made up of a plurality of grilling ribs 310(as shown in FIG. 3) which are travelling through the direct flames130A, 131A of the burners 130, 131. The grilling ribs may reachtemperatures of approximately 600 to 1,000 degrees Farenheit. Thegrilling ribs 310 absorb the heat of the direct flames 130A, 131A whichwill simultaneously cook and score the food product 120 when thegrilling ribs 310 are in the first and second upper portions 310B, 312Bof the grill conveyors 310, 312. The first and second conveyor lowerportions 310A, 312A protect the food product 120 from the direct flameas it is being conveyed, cooked, and scored on the first and secondconveyor upper portions 310B, 312B so that at no time does a directflame have to come into contact with the food product.

The first cooking tunnel 140 extends above the first grilling conveyorbelt 310 and the second cooking tunnel 142 extends above the secondgrilling conveyor belt 312. The first and second cooking tunnels 140 and142 are insulated tunnels formed by 1.5×1.5 inch stainless steel tubing(1102 in FIG. 11) and removable insulated two inch thick panels (918A-Dshown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 11) which allow for access to the machine whilecleaning. The grilling ribs 310 and the cooking tunnels 140 and 142allow the food products to be cooked at temperatures in the range ofapproximately 350 to 400 degrees Farenheit.

Grilling belt 310 of grilling machine 102 is set at a greater heightusing supports 173 than grilling belt 312 of grilling machine 104 in thepreferred embodiment so that the food product 120 which has a first sidedown in the first section 102 will flip and then fall onto the secondgrilling belt 312 so that grilling marks may be achieved on the secondside of the food product 120 as it travels through the second grillingmachine 104.

The first conveyor assembly 108 further includes conveyor sprockets 320and 322 which turn the first grilling conveyor belt 310. The secondconveyor assembly 109 further includes conveyor sprockets 324 and 326which turn the second grilling conveyor belt 312.

As discussed above, the first upper assembly 110 includes panels 918Aand 918B which allow access for cleaning to the cooking tunnel 140 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 11. The first upper assembly further includes afirst duct exhaust 160 containing a damper (not shown) which removesfumes from the cooking tunnel 140. The second upper assembly 111includes panels 918C and 918D which allow access for cleaning to thecooking tunnel 142. The second upper assembly 111 further includes asecond duct exhaust 162 which removes fumes from the cooking tunnel 142.The panels 918A-D are mounted on stainless steel struts 1102 which restin U-shaped channels 920 located in the conveyor assemblies as shown inFIG. 9. The housing cover 930 may also rest in the U-shaped channelslocated on the conveyor assemblies.

Reference numerals 170 and 171 represent steam nozzle sprayers foradding humidity (i.e., controlled live steam) during cooking which arecontrolled by a steam valve (not shown) and wet bulb sensor (not shown).The steam nozzle sprayers may extend across the path of the foodproduct. The ability to add humidity to the cooking tunnels 140 and 142prevents the drying out of the food product and leads to an increasedproduct yield.

Reference numeral 172 represents an infra-red sensor for checkingtemperature of the finished food product 120 and triggering an alarm ifthe product is undercooked. If the alarm is sounded the operator will besignalled to increase the set up temperature of the grilling machine.Due to an ability to control heat and speed, in an alternativeembodiment, the grilling machine 100 may be used to only create grillmarks on uncooked food that will later be cooked in an oven or fullycooked.

Reference numeral 180 represents an outfeed conveyor device fordelivering the finished food product 120.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevational view of the preferred embodimentwith insulated panels 210 in place.

FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary, enlarged front elevational view of thefirst grill conveyor assembly 108 in accordance with the preferredembodiment. The food product 120 is travelling on the grilling belt 310as it nears roller or sprocket 322 right before the food product fallsonto the lower positioned second grilling conveyor 312. A shaft 328drives the sprocket 322. The first grilling conveyor 310 is made up of achain 330 and grill ribs or links 332. The chain 330 may be A-1stainless steel #60 chain and the grill ribs 332 may be made of 1.5 inchby 1.5 inch stainless steel angles. The upper portion of the grillingbelt 310 is supported by an upper chain guide 340 which travels over astainless steel tubing 342 which holds both sides of the grilling belt310. The lower portion of the grilling belt 310 rides on a lower chainguide 344. A screw (not shown) may be used to adjust the tension in thechain.

The distance between links 332 when they are between the rollers in afirst link position is shown by L1 and may be approximately 0.66 inches.The distance between links 332 when they are nearing roller 322 in asecond link position is shown by L2 and may be approximately 0.75inches. The distance between links 332 when they are turning over theroller 322 in a third link position is shown by L3 may be approximately1.16 inches. The distance between links 332 when they are turning overthe roller 322 may be approximately 1.20 inches. As the distance betweenthe links spread, the food product 120 is gradually losing theattachment to the grilling belt 310 and falls onto the second grillingbelt 312. As the food product 120 falls, it turns over so that thesecond side may be grilled. Although the action of the ribs 332 is shownwith respect to roller 322, the same type of movement will occur ingrilling belt 312 as the food product 120 from grilling belt 312 tooutfeed conveying device 180.

In an alternative embodiment, the distances L1, L2, L3, and L4 may bevaried according to the pitch of the chain which is chosen.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged side elevational view of the first grillconveyor assembly 108 in accordance with the preferred embodiment. Chainlinks 410 which are part of chain 330 contain attachment pieces 412which are connected to ribs 310 through fastening devices 416. Eachfastening device 416 is made up of a nut 510 and bolt 512. Spacers 420keep the upper chain guide 340 and lower chain guide 344 an evendistance from grilling conveyor wall 430.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged side elevational view of a grilling rib 310 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment. The grilling rib 310 isattached to a chain link 412 as discussed above.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the first lower assembly 106 and firstconveyor assembly 108 of the first section 102 of the grilling machine100. The first conveyor assembly 108 is supported on the stainless steelframe 150 of the lower assembly 106. There is no attachment between thefirst conveyor assembly 108 and the lower assembly 106 to allow theconveyor to expand from the intense heat. The first conveyor assembly108 sits completely free on the frame without bolts or being welded withapproximately 0.25 inch clearance from both sides. The stoppers 610prevent the first conveyor assembly 108 from sliding or moving on theframe. The stoppers 610 are located in front of the conveyor.

FIG. 7 shows an outfeed view of the first lower assembly 106 and firstconveyor assembly 108 of the first section 102 of the grilling machine100 highlighting the capability of the fire chamber 132 to expand. Firstfire chamber 132 rests on 2×2 inch angles 702 which rest freely on thestainless steel frame 150 with approximately 0.25 inch clearance on bothsides to allow the first fire chamber 132 to expand.

FIG. 8 shows a control panel 800 of the griller 100. Reference numeral801 is a light indicator for indicating power into the griller 100.Reference numeral 802 is an emergency stop button which cuts power whenpressed and resets when pulled out. Reference numeral 803 is an inverterdrive light which indicates when conveyor is running. Reference numeral804 is the inverter start button which is pushed to start conveyor andreference numeral 805 is the inverter stop button which is pushed tostop conveyor. Reference numeral 806 is a feed zone temperaturecontroller which shows set-up temperature and actual temperature at thesame time and controls modulating gas valve which is controlling theheat in the feed zone. Reference numeral 807 is an on/off switch forpowering the temperature in the feed zone controller. Reference numeral808 is the inverter speed control dial which controls the speed of theconveyor. Reference numeral 809 is a discharge zone temperaturecontroller which shows set up temperature and actual temperaturesimultaneously and controls modulating gas valve which is controllingheat in discharge zone. Reference numeral 810 is an on/off switch whichis powering temperature controller in discharge zone. Reference numeral811 is the inverter speed monitor which shows speed of belt. Referencenumeral 812 is a product temperature controller which is coupled tosensor 172 to show temperature of finished product and set-up oftemperature for finished product. Reference numeral 813 is a switch topower the product temperature control.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the second section 104 of the preferredembodiment from line Z--Z in FIG. 1. As previously discussed, referencenumeral 152 represents the frame of the grilling machine 104. Referencenumeral 910 represents a drive mount. Reference numeral 912 represents adrive truft to store electric wires and prevent them from getting wetduring a washdown period. Reference numeral 914 shows a drive whichprovides force to the conveyor belt. Reference numerals 935 show angleswhich support the conveyor assembly 109 on the lower frame 152.

As previously discussed, reference numeral 917 shows an adjustable panelwhich assists in keeping the steam from leaking out from the cookingtunnels. The panel 917 may be adjusted to the approximate height of thefood product 120 which is being cooked. Reference numeral 950 representsa burner cover. Reference numeral 972 shows a self-modulating gas valveand gas train which controls burner 134. The self-modulating gas valvewill automatically correct itself to adjust the temperature in thecooking tunnels (especially during a "walking" time period). Aspreviously discussed, reference numerals 173 show supports or levelinglegs for adjusting the height of the grilling machines. Referencenumeral 980 represents a cleaner drawer plate which may be pulled out tobe cleaned and washed down. Reference numeral 982 represents anexpansion bearing which will let the shaft expand during the cookingperiod. Reference numeral 983 is a bearing which does not expand duringheating. Reference numeral 962 shows a cleaning brush located above thecleaning drawer 963 which may prevent the build up of carbon on theedges of the grilling ribs.

FIG. 9 also shows a driving chain 986 for driving the grilling belt. Thedriving chain 986 is contained in a driving chain guard 985 whichcontains perforations 987 which allow the driving chain 986 to besprayed and lubricated without having to remove the guard 985.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the fire chamber frame 1052 for thefirst grilling machine 102. The fire chamber frame 1052 rests inside thelower frame 152. Reference numeral L represents the length of the frame1052 which may be approximately 69 inches and reference numeral Wrepresents the width of the frame 1052 which may be approximately 31.0inches. The fire chamber frame is furnished with 14 # (gauge) stainlesssteel panels that may be removed on one side of the fire chamber inorder to allow access to the fire chamber for cleaning and maintenance.

The grilling machines 102 and 104 may also be equipped with a firesystem which may be used to quickly extinguish fires which occur.

The method and operation of the grilling machines 102 and 104 will nowbe discussed. The food product 120 enters the grilling machine on thefirst conveyor belt 310 and is transported through the first cookingtunnel 140. As discussed above, the lower grilling ribs 310 have beenabsorbing heat from the hottest part of the fire in the fire chambers132 and 134. Therefore, the grilling ribs 310 create grill marks in avery short time. During the rest of the passage through the firstsection 102 the marking and cooking on a first side of the food product120 occurs. The food product 120 is being grilled on the first side bythe heat from the ribs 310 and the ribs 310 are creating the grill markson the food product 120 in a very short time. When the food product 120reaches the end of the first section 102, the first side is done. Ifgrill marks are desired on only one side of the food product, then theprocess will be completed at this point. The temperature of the grillingmachine 102 may be set so that the food product is thoroughly cooked andscored one side.

However, if grill marks are desired on both sides of the food product,the process continues in the second grilling machine 104. The foodproduct 120 turns over to a second, unscored side by falling from thehigher level of the first conveyor belt 310 to the lower level of thesecond conveyor belt 312 in the second grilling machine 104. The foodproduct 120 then travels through the second section 104 being grilledand marked on the second side. At the end of the second grilling machine104, the food product travels out through the outfeed conveyor 180 whichremoves the product from the grilling machine 100.

Advantages of the preferred embodiment include a food product which haseven grill marks on both sides of the products.

Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that since it may madealmost entirely of stainless steel so that it can be hosed down duringcleaning.

Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that electricalcomponents are completely sealed in N.E.M.A. 4X type enclosures.

Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that it will meetU.S.D.A. approval.

Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that it may handle over1000 pounds of food product per hour.

Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that no direct flame tothe product keeps the yield high and does not dry out the food product.

Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that the lowerassembly, conveyor assembly, and upper assembly are not attached and maytherefore expand as is required by the intense heat.

The foregoing is to be understood as being in every respect illustrativeand exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the presentinvention disclosed herein is not to be determined from the DetailedDescription, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to thefull breadth permitted by the law. Therefore, it is to be understoodthat the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative ofthe principles of the present invention and that various modificationsmay be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A grilling machine which scores a plurality of food productscomprising:a grill conveyor assembly having a belt which has an upperand a lower belt portion; and a burner for supplying a thermal energy tosaid grill conveyor assembly;wherein said lower belt portion ispositioned in relation to said burner so that the lower belt portion iscapable of passing through a flame from said burner and said lower beltportion is constructed and arranged to substantially provide a barrierto prevent said flame from passing therethrough.
 2. The grilling machineof claim 1, wherein the belt includes a plurality of grilling ribs. 3.The grilling machine of claim 2, wherein the plurality of grilling ribsare made of stainless steel.
 4. The grilling machine of claim 1,whereinthe grilling machine includes a lower section, the grill conveyorassembly, and an upper section; the lower section includes the burner;and the upper section includes a hood which prevents the heat fromescaping from said grilling machine.
 5. The grilling machine of claim 2,wherein the grilling ribs are constructed so as to withstandtemperatures in the approximate range of 600 to 1,000 degrees Farenheit.6. The grilling machine of claim 1, wherein the grill conveyor assemblyis constructed so that the flame does not contact the plurality of foodproducts.
 7. The grilling machine of claim 1, wherein the grill conveyorassembly is constructed so that the plurality of food products are notsubject to pressure while cooking.
 8. An apparatus comprising:a firstgrilling belt which scores a first side of a plurality of food products;a second grilling belt which scores a second side of the plurality offood products;wherein the second grilling belt is located in a linearposition relative to the first grilling belt; a first burner;whereinsaid first grilling belt is positioned relative to said first burnersuch that the first grilling belt is capable of passing through a firstflame from said first burner; and a second burner;wherein said secondgrilling belt is positioned relative to said second burner such that thesecond grilling belt is capable of passing through a second flame fromsaid second burner.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the firstgrilling belt and second grilling belt move the plurality of foodproducts in the same direction.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein thefirst and second grilling belts include a plurality of grilling ribs.11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the grilling ribs are constructedso as to withstand temperatures in the approximate range of 600 to 1,000degrees Farenheit.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising steam nozzlesprayers for adding humidity to the plurality of food products.
 13. Anapparatus which simultaneously cooks and scores a plurality of foodproducts comprising:a first grilling machine comprising:a first burnerfor supplying a thermal energy to said plurality of food products; afirst grill conveyor assembly having a first belt which has a firstupper and a first lower portion;said first lower portion capable ofpassing over a first flame from said first burner and said first upperportion is capable of cooking and scoring the plurality of food productson a first side; wherein said first lower portion is positioned toprovide a barrier to substantially prevent said first flame from passingtherethrough; a second grilling machine comprising:a second burner forsupplying thermal energy to said plurality of food products, a secondgrill conveyor assembly having a second belt which has a second upperand a second lower portion;said second lower portion capable, of passingover a second flame from said second burner and said second upperportion is capable of cooking and scoring the plurality of food productson a second side; wherein said second lower portion is positioned toprovide a barrier to substantially prevent said second flame frompassing therethrough; and wherein said second grilling machine islocated in a linear position relative to the first grilling machine. 14.The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the first grill conveyor is located ata higher position than the second grill conveyor.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 13, further comprising a plurality of first and second grill ribslocated in the first and second grill conveyors which are farther apartwhen the plurality of food products are separating from the first grillconveyor than when the plurality of food products are travelling in ahorizontal position on the first and second grill conveyors.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of first grill ribs areapproximately 0.75 inches apart when nearing a roller.
 17. The apparatusof claim 13, comprising a first driving device operably connected to thefirst grill conveyor assembly; and a second driving device operablyconnected to the second grill conveyor assembly.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 13,wherein the first and second grill conveyor assemblies aresubstantially made of stainless steel.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the second grilling machine is located in a sequential positionrelative to the first grilling machine.
 20. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein said first and second belts are made up of stainless steel ribs.21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first grilling machinecomprises said first grill conveyor assembly and a frame.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second grill conveyorassemblies are constructed so as to expand in comparison with first andsecond lower frames of the first and second grilling machines.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 13,wherein the first gill conveyor assembly isconstructed so as to expand in comparison to a first lower frame of thefirst grilling machine; and the second grill conveyor assembly isconstructed so as to expand in comparison to a second lower frame of thesecond grilling machine.
 24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein firstand second grilling ribs of the first and second grill conveyors areconstructed so as to withstand temperatures in the approximate range of600 to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
 25. An apparatus which simultaneouslycooks and scores a food product comprising:a first burner positioned tosupply thermal energy to a food product; a first grill conveyor having abelt which has a first upper and a first lower portion;said first lowerportion positioned to pass through a first flame from said first burnerand said first upper portion capable of cooking and scoring the foodproduct on a first side; a second burner positioned to supply thermalenergy to the food product; a second grill conveyor having a belt whichhas a second upper and a second lower portion;said second lower portionpositioned to pass through a second flame from said second burner andsaid second upper portion capable of cooking and scoring the foodproduct on a second side; wherein the first grill conveyor is located ata higher position than the second grill conveyor; wherein the foodproduct is flipped from the first side to the second side whentravelling from the first grill conveyor to the second grill conveyor,and further comprising a plurality of first grill ribs located in thefirst grill conveyor which are farther apart when the food product isseparating from the first grill conveyor than when the food product istravelling in a horizontal position on the first grill conveyor;whereinthe first and second grill conveyors are substantially made of stainlesssteel; wherein the second grill conveyor is located in a linear positionrelative tot he first grill conveyor; wherein said first and secondgrill conveyors are made up of stainless steel ribs; wherein the foodproduct does not come into contact with said first and second flames.26. The grilling machine of claim 1 wherein said upper belt portionincludes a plurality of grilling ribs having angles which are capable ofscoring the plurality of food products.
 27. The grilling machine ofclaim 1, wherein a fire chamber rests inside a lower frame of thegrilling machine.
 28. The grilling machine of claim 1, wherein a firechamber is not attached to a lower frame of the grilling machine. 29.The grilling machine of claim 1, wherein the grill conveyor assemblysits freely on a frame of the grilling machine.
 30. The grilling machineof claim 1, wherein components of the burner are completely sealed. 31.The grilling machine of claim 2, wherein the grilling ribs areconstructed so as to withstand temperatures of between 600 to 1,000degrees Farenheit.
 32. The grilling machine of claim 1, furthercomprising:insulated panels positioned to retain heat within the firstgrill conveyor assembly.